Physics Foibles

The word foible as defined by Webster: an odd feature or mild failing in a person's character; a weakness. In fencing, the weaker part of a sword blade.

-------Godel--------------------Heisenberg---------------Entropy----------------Chaos-------

Heisenberg

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle results from the basic postulates of Quantum Mechanics and puts fundamental limits on the accuracy of our measurements.

I think it is safe to say that no one understands Quantum Mechanics. Do not say to yourself, if you can possibly avoid it. "But how can it be like that ," because you will go down the drain into a blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that. -- Richard Feynman

Godel

Godel Incompleteness: Godel showed that with only a finite number of axioms there are truths that are not provable.

Godel's achievement is singular and monumental - a landmark which will remain visible far into space and time. --John VonNeuman

Entropy

Entropy has many faces: Second Law of Thermodynamics - Statistical Mechanics - Information - Usable Energy - Disorder - The integral of heat change divided by temperature - Probability.

Interestingly most people do not know the word entropy - but thru life experiences they in fact do know Entropy. They know they probably won't win the lotto. (But they might.) They flip 100 balanced coins and know that they won't get 100 heads. (But they might.)

Chaos

In the Newton era, analysis was king. All problems would yield to the calculus, given enough effort. Chaos predicts that complex non-linear systems are inherently unpredictable. Small changes in initial conditions produce widely varying and unpredictable responses, allowing the theorist to state, "A butterfly in South America flapping its wings causes tornadoes in America."

Entropy - probable (not for sure). Godel Incompleteness - can't prove everything. Heisenberg Uncertainty - observing is disturbing. Chaos Theory - calculus is not all powerful.

How profound the statement! Physicists like to think that all you have to do is say; these are the conditions, now what happens next? ---Richard Feynman

It is the acceptance of these foibles in Physics that has led to broader understanding. In the process of examining these 'weaknesses', many creative and practical solutions have been discovered. My PC has limitations - but it has enriched my world. just like dis sentance fhysics ain't purfict. But you know what I am saying. Planes fly, radios sing and your computer displays this text due to our knowledge and application of physics.

Some may be disappointed that Godel exposed that the finite axiomatic systems of our science have limitations. The Theory of Everything may fall short. We can never know it all. However, this insures that our search for understanding will never end. Physics isn't done, and our need for scholars of science continues. How boring the alternative!!

The book Physics Foibles by Melvin Goldstein contains more than 60 Visual Basic PC software routines dealing with Entropy, Godel, Heisenberg and Chaos. To order the book Physics Foibles or view some of its content Click here.

Other links:
 Physics I see you
 Physics to know
 Physics with a PC
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Heisenberg: Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle results from the basic postulates of Quantum Mechanics. If you picture the atom like our solar system where planets are the electrons and the sun is the nucleus, you don't know Quantum Mechanics, and you don't know Heisenberg. The quantum physicist added uncertainty by introducing the wave property of matter, (where is it Heisenberg) and when he did he was able to explain events that eluded the classical physicist. I think it is safe to say that no one understands Quantum Mechanics. Do not say to yourself, if you can possibly avoid it. "But how can it be like that ," because you will go down the drain into a blind alley from which nobody had yet escaped. Nobody knows how it can be like that. --Feynman Godel: Godel Incompleteness: Godel showed that with only a finite number of axioms there are truths that are not provable. If a 'religion' is defined to be a system of ideas that contains unprovable statements, then Godel taught us that mathematics is not only a religion, it is the only religion that can prove itself to be one. ---John Barrow There are some who believe that Godel's Incompleteness is meant to be applied to pure mathematics, and not to physical systems. His achievement is singular and monumental - a landmark which will remain visible far into space and time. --John VonNeuman Entropy: Entropy has many faces - Second Law of Thermodynamics - Statistical Mechanics - Information - Useful Energy - Order - The integral of heat change divided by temperature - Probability. Interestingly most people do not know the word Entropy - but thru life experiences they in fact do know Entropy. They know they probably won't win the lotto; but they might, they can't beat the casino; but they might, they flip 100 balanced coins and they don't get 100 heads - but they might. Chaos: Chaos Theory must also be included in Physics' foibles. Chaos Theory is a younger discipline that did not become fashionable until the 1980's. However, in retrospect, discoveries in the 17th century may have been the beginnings of Chaos. In the Newton era, analysis was king. All problems would yield to the calculus, given enough effort. It may be expected that by starting with more precise input, one could expect more precise output. Chaos predicts that complex non-linear systems are inherently unpredictable. Small changes in initial conditions produce widely varying and unpredictable responses, allowing the theorist to state, "A butterfly in South America flapping its wings causes tornados in America." Entropy, Godel Incompleteness, Heisenberg Uncertainty and Chaos Theory all put limits on what we may know. Physicists like to think that all you have to do is say; these are the conditions, now what happens next? ---Richard Feynman